Photos from the scene showed part of the roof of the house collapsed, windows were smashed and the inside was blackened with smoke.

Image:The fire tore through the roof of the house in the Highfields area of the town

The arrested pair were detained at about 1.30pm on Friday, but on Saturday the force said: "A 24-year-old woman and a 28-year-old man arrested on suspicion of manslaughter by gross negligence following a house fire in Stafford have been bailed while inquiries continue."

Noting the "huge impact on the community", officers called for the public not to speculate on the circumstances of the fire.

"The man and woman arrested are living at an address out of the area," the police statement added.

A fundraising page set up for the family of the four children has raised over £29,500 after more than 1,800 people donated money.

Teachers paid emotional tributes to the children, describing them as "bright, happy, loving and lively".